Location
Little River is a rural township 25km east-north-east of Geelong on the train route to Melbourne.

Description
The Princes Freeway between Melbourne and Geelong took passing traffic away from Little River, although this was possibly a blessing. Untouched by suburban sprawl, Little River remains a charming station township surrounded by fields, the river and the You Yangs. The You Yangs Road reserve, just out of town, and the Little River reserve have barbecues and sporting fields. Farmers and graziers on the surrounding land still send their children to Little River Primary School. The train provides quick access to Lara, and Geelong and Melbourne.

History
Originally known as the Cocoroc Rivulet, the Little River begins in the Brisbane Ranges and runs past the You Yangs. The land from Little River south-west through Avalon and Lara, to the Moorabool River in Geelong, was originally owned by the Worin-Yalok clan of the Wathaurong people. The road from Melbourne to Geelong crossed Little River and the Travellers Rest Inn was opened there in about 1840.

After the railway to Geelong was built, a township grew around the new station at Little River, built in 1857 (and now on the National Estate). Schools opened in 1856 and 1858 and by 1865 the town had three hotels and a mechanics' institute. Three bluestone churches were built before the turn of the century. Small farmers had the benefit of an eight-thousand hectare common for grazing and beef, wool and dairy farming were the principal commercial activities for many years.